Graeme Souness has claimed that Liverpool target Raphinha is a ‘proper player’ for Leeds United, as he told Sky Sports Football.
The Anfield legend added that the Leeds United flyer has ‘all the technique you would want’.
During his 18 Premier League games, Raphinha has struck eight goals for an injury-hit, indifferent and relegation-threatened Leeds side, which is some going from the rising star.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that the likes of Liverpool are keen to sign the 25-year-old in the summer of 2022, according to the Echo.
A certain Mo Salah has 18 months remaining on his Liverpool contract, whether he re-signs or not, Jurgen Klopp needs that added depth down that right flank.
And whilst Leeds fans won’t like to hear it, Raphinha is dancing down the wing against Premier League clubs like he is now worthy to grace the Champions League stage.
Souness thinks the Brazil international has the ability to take that next step because there is ‘absolutely nothing to dislike about him’.
On Raphinha making 49 more sprints than any other player in the PL: “That tells you that he has a proper attitude,” said Souness.
“I can’t think of anything he hasn’t got. He has got an appetite for the game. He’s got all the technique you would want. Quick. Brave.
“There is absolutely nothing to dislike about him. He is a real player, with genuine quality.
“I think the biggest teams will be looking at him. He is a proper player.”
Even though Leeds have opened a gap between themselves and those in the bottom three, they will still be aware that they have a long way to go yet.
If they survive, and there is no reason why they shouldn’t now, then keeping Raphinha has to be a priority.
At the very least, Leeds can put a contract down on the table and then hope he ignores the noise from those teams in the Champions League.
Leeds are a club that want to get back to them European days and Raphinha is the type of player that will help them get there.
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